Daily news summary
Bill to make it easier for children and grandchildren of exiles to get citizenship
It will become easier for the children and grandchildren of exiles from Communist Czechoslovakia to obtain Czech citizenship after the lower house on Wednesday approved in the third reading a Senate proposal to that end. The bill will now go back to the Senate, after which it must be signed by the president.
The legislation pertains to the relatives of Czechs who were stripped of their citizenship prior to 1989. Children and grandchildren wishing to acquire Czech citizenship must provide documentation detailing when and how their family member lost it.
Czechs in Brussels organise anti-Babiš protest
Around 200 Czechs, including a number of opposition MEP’s, gathered in Brussels to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. One of the organisers told journalists the reason behind the demonstration were “his attempts to influence the independent judiciary” and “the long-term systematic abuse of EU funds”.
The organisers coordinated the protest with the Million Moments for Democracy group, which is behind the ongoing wave of protests in the Czech Republic, including what they claim to have been the largest demonstration since the Velvet Revolution two weeks ago.
New Slovak president Čaputová to visit Prague Thursday
The new Slovak president, Zuzana Čaputová, is set to visit the Czech Republic on Thursday. It will be her first trip abroad since her appointment last weekend.
President Čaputová will hold talks with her Czech counterpart, Miloš Zeman, as well as representatives of the upper and lower houses and the government. She will also meet Slovaks living in the Czech Republic and attend a concert in her honour featuring Czech and Slovak artists.
Tourist tax to be extended to Airbnb type accommodation
A nightly tourist tax on accommodation facilities looks set to be extended to Airbnb type services from next year after the lower house approved a government amendment to that effect. The matter will now be considered by the Senate.
Under the legislation, the tourist tax will remain at CZK 21 a night next year, while the following year it could rise to as much as CZK 50. Specific rates will be set by local authorities.
Finance Minister Alena Schillerová said neighbouring states had charges equivalent to CZK 50 a night. MP Jan Čižinský of the Christian Democrats had advocated for a figure of CZK 150.
Karel Gott releases two LPs to mark 80th birthday
Singer Karel Gott has kick-started events celebrating his 80th birthday with the launch of two new compilation albums. He told the station Rádio Impuls that his music label had not put any tracks against his will on Biggest Hits 1964–2019 and the monumental Singles – 300 Songs from 1962–2019.
Karel Gott turns 80 on July 14. In a career spanning almost six decades he has released over 100 albums and notched up sales of over 50 million, both in the Czech Republic and in such markets as Germany and Austria.
Weather forecast
It should be overcast with some sunny spells and the chance of storms in the Czech Republic on Thursday. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 29 degrees Celsius. Daytime highs will then decline at the weekend before rising to around 30 degrees Celsius in the middle of next week.
